Onthe front line of satire
Lawrence, who is a scenestealer as executive-producer Brian ‘‘Thommo’’ Thompson during the first of the show’s three-season run (Lawrence sadly died of lung cancer before the second season was shot). Better known for his dramatic roles in things like Smash Palace and The Quiet Earth, Lawrence delivers a masterclass in deadpan comedy.
Looking back at the 39-episodes now, what is striking is just how relevant – and even prescient – the show still feels. Sure, some of the humour and language might be outside today’s ‘‘accepted’’ norms, but the critiques and cracks at current affairs are truly on the nose.
In the opening episode, The Souffle Rises, Moore hilariously attempts to shed his ‘‘lightweight’’ image by offering up his own ‘‘hardhitting’’ opinions on international politics. An onair diatribe criticising the Greeks in their disputewith the Macedonians results in death threats and humiliation, as he tries to cover his lack of knowledge.
‘‘Who makes the dips again?’’ he asks, while revealing that he did one of ‘‘Pythagoras’ plays at school’’.
One instalment that’s definitelyworth seeking out is season 2’s 10th episode, Changing the Face of Current Affairs. Here, The Simpsons’ Harry Shearer guest stars as a US consultant drafted in to help the team boost their ratings. His suggestions include Brooke co-hosting, discarding tripods, liberal wardrobe use of the colour orange (‘‘the truth colour,’’ as he puts it) and commentary style subtitles in stories. Unfortunately, the old truism that ‘‘change is the enemy of current affairs’’ comes home to roost, as a linguistical difference between Australia and America results in a potentially damaging lawsuit.
This is whip-smart, bellyachingly funny, truly bingeworthy television that deserves to be both rediscovered and enjoyed by a whole new audience.
Frontline is now streaming on Netflix.